2027: I pity whoever takes over from Makinde - Makinde's Commissioner ... Says Governor creates succession challenge for himself

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has expressed his worries on the daunting task before the next Governor of Oyo State when Seyi Makinde completes his race in May 2027.

Prince Oyelade expressed this at the maiden matriculation ceremony of students of the Impact Polytechnic, Ibadan.

The Information Commissioner who had worked with three different Governors across four administrations in Oyo State said he has foreseen what looks like a herculean task before the next Governor considering the unequalled performance template Governor Seyi Makinde is leaving behind by 2027.

“In passing the performance test, Seyi Makinde has created another challenge for himself and that challenge rears its head in the issue of succession.” Oyelade said.

“Even as an insider in this administration, I cannot but pity whoever will take over from Seyi Makinde as Governor in 2027.”

Prince Dotun Oyelade noted that Governor Makinde did not only surpass the expectations of many when he took over the helms of affairs of the State but has also laid an almost unbeatable leadership record for incoming administrations.

“In 2019 when the Seyi Makinde administration started, many thought that governance will be a huge challenge, given the hydra headed situation we met on the ground, particularly finance, but Governor Seyi Makinde had clearly shown that where there is a will, there is a way; much more so, when the way is driven by prudence, data, science and smartness.” Oyelade said.

“The first four years of his administration set unprecedented records while the first two years of the second term surpassed those achievements.”

The Information Commissioner stated that Governor Makinde has changed the narrative from the general belief that when an administration succeeds in its re-election bid, it becomes complacent to the promises it had made to the people.

He said the frenetic pace in the provision of infrastructures and keeping faith with the welfare of government workers has given the impression that Governor Seyi Makinde is running for a third term.

“In December 2024, a few weeks after Governor Seyi Makinde promised the ₦80,000 minimum wage for the over 130,000 State workers, two permanent secretaries came to my office and asked me confidentially, how the Governor was going to implement the promise which amounts to over ₦14billion every month and still able to continue with ambitious infrastructural plans.

“I told them jocularly that if a man says that he has bitten the bullet for the people of Oyo State, he must have a magic wand in his sleeve.

“Well, as we all know, he has paid the ₦14billion three times between January and March this year, and he will continue to do so till the end of May, 2027.

“As I talk to you, the 32.2km East Wing of the Ibadan Circular road which will be the first Motorway in Nigeria will be commissioned in the near future.

“Apart from this, 334 km of roads have been constructed and rehabilitated across the State: More than half of them in the last two years.

Despite the number of uncertainties in the coming years leading to the re-election of a new Governor in the State, the Commissioner reassured that the Governor will not faint in maintaining the tempo of his performance till the wee hours of May 29, 2027.

“It is up in the air if the Game changer Governor will succeed in persuading the people to follow his gubernatorial nominee if he has any, or the people will follow their own heart as they did in 2019, or even take a gamble into the unknown? Only time will tell.” Oyelade added.